Fire-extinguishing apparatus



Nov.

-F-IRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS origina1 Filed April 1. 1922 PatentedNov. 13, 1928i.

UNITED .STATES PATENT; (OFFICE.

FRANK A. IEFPS, OF YORK, N. Y.; 'ADDISON O. BONIFACE, OF EAST ORANGE,AND

WILLIS D. WITTER, OF RQSELLE PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NORS, :BY MESNE AS-SIGNMENTS, T AMERICAN LA FRANCE AND FOAMITECORPORATION, A CORPORA- lTION OF NEW YORK.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Application filed .April 1, 1922, Sierial No. 548,610. Renewed December24, 1924.

Our invention relates to fire extinguishing "valv'ele ss and are mainconnections in the apparatus of they foam. type and provides aninexpensive foam system useful especially in the protection of smallplants where a complicated-and costly installation would be barred. Weprovide means, whether automatic or manual, for starting siphonicdelivery of` solutions from the usual acid solu-` tio-n and basicsolution containers, solution 'delivery thereafter ,being by gravityvonly and Without aid, or at' all events without predominating eXpu-lsiveaction,'of thel starting means, usually a pressure means'iye; a

means for changing `pressure conditions in the system, and` which maytherefore be of slight capacity or of 'only momentary operation, orboth, thus reducing expense. r

Referringto the drawings 2.

Fig. 1 is. an elevation partly in cross sec`'vv 2o tion.

Fig.-'2 is an enlarged detail view.

The ire hazard to the protection of which our system is" illustratedasapplied is an open ydip tanklO, containing an iniammable` 2 5 liquid asvarnish, lacquer or gasolene. With` this tank, inthe installationshown,is as'- s s ociated a solution mixing Achamber 11 of known typefor delivering foam to the surface of the liquid 12 in the dip -tank toextinguish the fire, Acidl solution container 13 and basic solutioncontainer 14 elevatedl above thefdip tank 10, and preferably situatedonv a higher floor, are each connected' to the mixing chamber byconnections which 36 are normally openthat is tosay they are empty ofliquid. 'I heseconnections'are illustrated as comprising. the-risers .15and`16 connected respectively at their lower ends to piping 17 'and'18,andby 19 'and 20 to the mixing chamber, theirA upper ends being'connected to the tanks 13 and 14 by the: re-

spective siphoning sections 21 and 22 .which vextend into the tanksandterminate adjacent their bottoms, the elevation of thefcontai'nersabove. the fire vhazard providingI a suilicient head forigravity ow ofthe solutions tothe mixing chamber for its practical o ration. Thesesiphonic connections are dgfeyf and sense that they conduct the whole of'the component solutions andare devoid of any collateral pipes lon whichtheir action is de-v pendent. As the nieans for starting the siphonicow, we prefer to adopt pressure means, the cartridge illustrated, orother pressure unit,v

Whether or not explosive, of suiiicient capac.- .f

ity only or kept Iin operation only long enough, to fill the siphons.This is best done by a temporary pressure impulse suiiicien't to raiseeach solution to the top of its Siphon. Where automatic operationisrequired, we consider 1t best to use agas generator adapted to bebrought into action by abnor- `mal heatladjacent the fire hazard, thegases conducted in the, 'system illustrated to the tanks 13 and 14 forthereupon generated being exerting on the lsolutions therein enough.4

pressure to start'the 'siphons In the .preferred form of ourinstallation we provide thegas generator I23, which comprises gasproducing means of thety e disclosed in the patent to Frederick Bargar,1,422,406, granted July l1, 1922, and consisting` of a gas 4chamber, 24having a 'com-4 bustible cartridge 25 in one end and a free No. l

weight 26 in the other and havingv in its walls Va pluralityof gas-exitperforations 27. A self-contained energy unit v is thus provide edwhichlbeingv of limited capacity is op erativeonly through a period ofshort duration. The v,gas producing means which *is made up as aseparate refill is' shown as loose in an-enclosing tubular casing 28,closed at,

one end by the cap 29, and'oonnected at its other end to a iexibletubing 30 attached to .l

the cap '31, the casing 28 with the enclosed as generating means beingnormally'suspen ed in horiontal position, as shown in full lines inFigures 1, and 2 of the drawings, by ;a

fusible link 32, whose ends are attached`re-- spectively to the cap 29and the ceililg is in other support. The gas generator communicationwith the solution tanks 13 and 14, b the gas line 34 which has one endby one or more brackets 35- and 1 .SUPP

,lconnected to the flexible tubing 30 and its y in order to prevent anyvapor pressure of suiiiciently to and 14 and the gas line 34 frominitiating movement of the' other end connected by means of the pipesections 36 and 37, to the tank inlets 38 and 39,which may be providedwith gauges 40 and 41,

For the purpose of opening the tanks 13 lines 36 and 37 to atmosphereafter the pressure means has started flow of. thesolutions through thesphonic -connections, in order to equalize pressure, in the containersand said connections, a check valve 42, located in the gas line 34 isyarranged to be closed by the start-ing pressure from the gas generator23 and to be opened by atmospheric pressure when the pressure in thetanks falls below atmospheric vpressure. For the purpose of preventingany departure from normal temperature in thev solutions through thesiphoning lines, and

the solutions. in the tanks from building up start such fiow, we furtherpreferably provide a bleeding or breathing valve 43 in the gas line 34,the said valve conveniently taking the form of a T connection providedwith a Monel filter cloth sufficient to permit the-normal breathingofthe system'andinsuficient to interfere with the normal operation ofthe pressure means. But it will be evident that one small breather holewill serve the purpose of both-valves.

The operation of the system is as follows: Upon the occurrence of a firein the dip tank 10 the link 32 will be fused and the gas generator 23will drop to substantially vertical position as shown in dotted lines inFigures 1 and 2, the weight 26 falling upon the end of thecartridge 25and setting olf the same,- the gases generated moving into and throughthe casing 28 and by the fiexible piping 30- into the pressure line 34and thence to the tanks 13 and 14, exerting pressure on the solutionstherein to fillthe siphons and start sphonic ow through the solutiondelivery lines 15 and 16. When the starting impulse is expended airenters by valve 42 or by a breather hole to vreplace the solutions, as,once the sphonic action has been'started,-

-tliey flow thereafter by gravity into the mixing chamber 11 where theusual intermixtureof the solutions with foam production takes place andfrom which the foam is expelled into the dip tank 10 and over theburning surface of the liquid therein.

While we have shown our device in thev l preferred form, it willbeiobvious that, many changes and modifications may be made in thelstructure :disclosed without departing froinvthe spirit of theinvention, defined in the following-claims:

1. A foam protectinginstallation comprising an acid solution tank, aIbasic solution. tank, a mixing chamber below saidytanks,

`ing the respective tanks to the mixing 2. A foam protectinginstallationv com` prising an l,acid solution container and a basicsolution container elevated above the fire hazard, a mixing chamber,normally d' open Siphon delivery pipes connecting each con tainer -withthe mixing 'chamber and means for initiating solution iow through. said,

pipes by'temporary pressure impulse.

A foam protecting installation comprising an acid solution container anda Ibasic. solution container-both elevated above the fire hazard, amixing chamber, normally container with the mixing chamber, means forinitiating solution flow through said pipes, and means for admittingatmosphere to the tanks to compensate the delivery of liquid therefrom.

4. In a gravity operated fire extinguish- Vopen siphon delivery pipesconnectingeach ing system, an acid solution container, a.

basic solution container, a mixingchamber, sphonic connections betweeneach of said containers andsaid mixing chamber, both said containersbeing elevated above the fire hazard to provide a suiiicient head forgravity iow ofthe solutions to the mixingchamber for the practicaloperation of the latter,

and means for altering onlyl temporarilyA pressure conditions in thesystem to initiate l sphonic fiow thereafter .maintained by gravity. l5. Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising an acid solution containerand la-basic solution container elevated' above the hazard, a mixingchamber, sphonic connections between 'nach of said containers and saidmixing chamber, a cartridge connected t?? both Vsaid containers, andmeans to set it o 6. In a gravity "operated fire extinguishing system,an acid solution container, 'a basic solution container, a mixingchamber, siphonic connections between each of said containers and saidmixing chamber, both LaidV containers being elevated above the'firehazard to provide a suicient head for. gravity .flow of the solutions tothe mixing chamber for thepractical operation 'of -the latter,

`means brought into pla?7 by abnormal Aheat adjacentI the ire`ha`zardfor `altering only temporarily' pressure conditions in the system toinitiate siphonic'fiow thereafter maintained by gravity.

extin 'Shing' apparatus com rising an acid so ution container and asolution container elevated above the lire hazard, a mixing chamber,normally open siphonic connections between each of said containers andsaid mixing chamber, and means for altering pressure conditions in thesystem to start siphonic flow, thereafter maintained by gravity Withoutpredominating expulsive action of the starting means.

8. In a fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which normallystored chemical component solutions are intermixed in time of fire forthe production of4 a fire extinguishing medium, tank means forseparately holding the component solutions, a mixing station, solutionlines for independently conducting the component solutions to the saidmixing station, the tank means being located at an elevation above themixing sta-y tion to provide a gravity head in the solution lines, andmeans for initiating movement of the solutions through the said lines,feeding of the solutions after the initiated. movement thereof beingaccomplished by the gravity head; the said means including provisionsautomatically'controlled by fire conditions for exerting pressure on thesolutions in the tank means.

9. In a fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which normallystored chemical component 'solutions are intermixed in time of fire forthe production of a fire extinguishing medium, tank means for`separatelyholding the component solutions, a mixing station, solution lines forindependently. conducting the component solutions tothe said mixingstation, the tank means being arranged at an elevation above the mixingstation to provide a gravity head in the solution lines the saidsolution lines being cony nected in siphoning relation with the tankmeans and meansfor initiating movement of the solutions through the saidlines, the said means including provisions automatically controlled byfire conditions for exerting pressure ,on the solution Alevels in thetank means. v

10. In a vlire extinguishing lapparatus' of the type in which normallystored chemical com onent solutions are intermixed in time ofliie forthev production of a lire extinvguishing medium, a mixing chamber, tankmeans for separately holding the componentV solutions located at-,a-nelevation above the mixing chamber, solution lines for independentlyconducting the component solutions toV the said mixing chamber, thesaidi solution lines being lconnected in siphoning relation Y with thetank means and." means for initiating movementofthe solutionsfthroughthe said lines/including provisions independent ofthe said mixingchamber and automatically controlled by re conditions forexertingpressure on the solution levels inthe tank means.

' 11. InA a lire extinguishing apparatus otv the type in which normallystored chemical component solutions are intermixed in time of fire forthe production of a lire extin` guishingvmedium, a mixing chamber, tankmeans for separately holding the component solutions-,located at anelevation above the.

mixing chamber, solution lines for independently conducting thecomponent solutions to the said mixing chamber, the said solution linesbeing connected in siphoning v relation 'with the tank'means and meansfor initiating [movement of the solutions through the said linesincluding a gas generator effective when brought into operation to causethe solutions to fill the siphons and thus initiate siphonic action.

12. In a lire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which'normallystored chemical component solutions are intermixed'in time of fire forthe production of a Ere extmfguishing medium, a mixing chamber arrangedfor protecting a fire hazard, tank means for'separately holding thecomponent solutions, solution lines for independently conducting thecomponent solutions to,the sald mixing chamber and connected inlsiphoning relation with the said tank means, the tank means beinglocated at anelevation above /the mixing station for providing a gravityhead in the solution lines and means for initiating movement of thesolu- 13, In a iire 'extinguishing apparatus, .i

t'ank` means for holding a fire extinguishing solution, solutiondistributing means connected to the tank means vfor conducting thesolution to a discharge station,l .the tank means being located at anelevation above the discharge station to provide a gravity head in thedistributing-means and a de- Vice operatingl by combustion forinitiating movement of the solution through the said distributing means,feeding of the solution afterfthe. initiated movement thereof beingaccomplished by the gravity head, the said means including provisionsautomatically controlled by firef" conditions for .exerting pressure onthe, solution in the tank means.

' 14. Afoam-protecting installation of the dry type 'comprising asolution tank, a chamber having an -opening for admission of a,solutionmutually -reactive with the solution in said ytank t`o produce a foam,-Valveless mamy dehvery siphoningV means operating independently of saidmutually reactive solution for conducting solution from said tank tosaid chamber into contact. therein with said mutually reactive solu-.tion and thereby producing' the foam'stream,

and a source of energy operative only through a period of short durationfor starting the siphonic iiow through said valveless sirhonic means,said flow continuing therea er predominantly a gravity flow.

' 15. A foam protecting installation of the dry type comprising asolution container, a

chamber having an f inlet for a solution 1 mutuallyreacti-ve with thesolution in said tank to produce a foam, valveless main deliverysiphonic means for delivering solution rom'said container into 'contactin said chamberA with said mutually reactive solution andv therebyproducing the foam stream, and a gas producing cartridge of limitedcapacity operative only through a period of short'dura-tion for startinthe -siphonicsflow through said vvalveless sip onic means, said flow.continuing thereafter predominantly agravity flow.

16. A lire extinguishinginstallation comprising a tank forfire-extinguishing medium above the fire hazard, main delivery meanstherefor normally open and empty all the wa to the fire hazard `andincluding sip onic means, and heat-actuated means putting the fire extinuishing'medium in the ,tank' under pressure or a short period'only l forinitiating sphonic4 action therein, said action being thereaftermaintained predominantly by gravity, and means opening the tank totheyatmosphere suiciently to com- I. ent of re eratin independently.oi'one'of said solu-.

tions' or conducting theV other from its` container into contacttherewith and forV deliv- .er-ing foam -to the ire hazard, said meansbelng-normallyopen and empty all the way to the fire hazard and'including siphonic means, and means for initiating slphonic actiontherein, said action 'being'l thereafter maintained predominantly bygravity, and

means opening the container of' said solation'to the atmospheresuiciently to compen-` sate the delivery of liquid therefrom.-

S. In fire extinguishing apparatusa con? temer ,for fire extinguishingcharge, a casing for communication therewith, and a gravity-operated gasproducer loose therein and made 11p-as a separate refillV unit *havf inga casing containing both a cartridge and operating 'meanstherefo`1--,one of which is ,free to' fallonto the otherV to. set'oi'f the cartridgewhen the casing approaches the vertical. Y f

20. 'A foanrprotectin installation accord-t.

ing to claim 18, in whic the siphonic-actionv- 'casing .initiating-meansis vWholly independent of fire emergency discharge from the system.

21. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, a 'container for ireextinguishing charge, a suspended casing exterior to the container andadapted to have its interior in communication with that ofthe'container, a cartridge in the casing, and means for setting it o ondropping of the casing.

22. A foam protectlng mstallatin of the dry type comprising containersformutually reactive solutions, valveless siphoning means constitutingthe main solution delivery means for bringing one ofv said solutionsinto contact with the otherto producel the foam stream, and aself-contained energy unit oflimited ca acity operative only through aeriod of sliort duration for starting thesip' onic flow through saidvalveless siphonic means, said flew continuingthereaftervpredominantly agravity flow, and

means for lcalling said energy unit into activity. `l

23. A fom protecting installation of the dry type comprising containersfor mutually reactive solutions, valveless siphoning means constitutingthe main solution delivery,

means for bringing one of said solutions into contact with the othertoproduce the foam stream, and aself-contained energy unit of limitedcapacity operative only through 'a period of short duration for startingthe .si-

phonic 'i'ow through said valveless siphonic means, lsaid lilovvcontinuing ythereafter predominantly a gravity. flow, and means brou htinto play byy abnormal heat ad] acent Athe re hazard to set the energyunit into operation.

24. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a container for fire extinguishingcharge, a dry for communication with said container, movable with resect thereto and having therein 'a gas'pro ucer including a cartridge andmeans yto set it off on relative.

movement of said cartridge and means resulting with reference to thecontainer.

` 25. In lire 'extinguishingapparatus, a.

movablefcasing, and a gravlty-operated gas produter loose therein andmade up as a sep-- arate refill unit having a casing containing both acartridge and operating means there` for, one of which is'free to fallonto the -gotherto set oli' .the cartridge /when the cas:

ing ap roaches the vertical.

26. n a fire extinguishin container for fire extinguis an pipingconnecting theinteriors of the container and (g, a gas producerA loose'in the casing' and ma e u as a separate refill unit having movable reatively therein aparand means for setting it o'- on droptrid'ge pin ofthe casing. 2 In a fire lelsrtinguiehing apparatus, n

from movement of the dry casing.

apparatus, a. 4 l ngcharge, a vsus Iided casmg'exterior to thecontalner,

ALemma `A i v --5 container for fire extinguishing clnirge, a Y the lirehazard 'for permittingv the pasingto *10fsusiended casing exterior tothe container, drgfan piping, in part flexible, connecting the l lgnedat New York city in the county interlors of the container and casing, a,'gas of ew York and State of ew York, thls 'producer loose in' thecasing and made up 31st day of March, A. D.`1922.

as a separate refill unit having movable reltively therein a,cartridgefand means for FRANK A. EPPS. setting it off on droping of thecasing, and ADDISON O. BONIFACE.

' normal heat afhucent WILLIS D. WITTER.

,means operated by a

